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344 <^> -^ <^> The Motion Picture Industry
From the standpoint of control, there are two general types of chain theaters: those which are independently controlled and those controlled by producer-distributors. The independently controlled chains include regional and local groups, the local groups often being comprised of but few units per circuit. Neither independent chains nor independent unit theaters number many de luxe or important first-run houses. Geographically independent theaters are well diversified, but they predominate in the small communities. The second general class of chain theaters, those controlled by producer-distributors, includes practically all the major national organizations. It is with this class of theaters that we are concerned primarily. In 1931, there were six producer-affiliated theatrical chains; they were owned by the Paramount Publix Corporation, the Fox Film Corporation (this chain included the Fox Theaters and the Fox-West Coast Circuit), Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., Loew's, Incorporated, the Radio-Keith-Orpheum Corporation, and the Universal Theaters Corporation.5 Of the total number of theater accounts, it is estimated that 25% are affiliated theaters. It is believed by some within the industry that this percentage figure will be lowered in the next two or three years, partly because some of the chains are returning houses to local independent operation, and partly because there is an increase in the resumption of business by the independent theaters themselves.
theaters that could not be booked because of protection there were from 7,000 to 8,000 wired "sales possibilities" in the United States. Of this number the individually owned houses outnumbered those owned by the major circuits by 1,200. It was also estimated that there were from 3,500 to 4,000 individual accounts, this number including operators of 1, 2, or 3 theaters. An estimate, early in 1931, by the Film Daily in cooperation with the Film Boards of Trade indicated that there were, on January 1, 1931, 13,128 wired houses out of a total of 21,993 houses.
5 The Hughes-Franklin Circuit of theaters, organized in 1931, gave promise of attaining major importance. Since its organization H. B. Franklin has withdrawn from the circuit.
The United Artists Corporation was interested in a number of theaters, some of which were wholly owned and others owned in partnership with the Paramount Publix Corporation. The latter company operated a number of the United Artists Corporation's theaters.